Table 2.

The items of the ad hoc questionnaire, designed and developed to investigate Ramadan fasting as well as other religious beliefs and practices

Number	Item
Ramadan fasting beliefs and practice subscale
1	I think that Ramadan fasting is a cure for my illness, even though my doctor and my spiritual guide have advised me not to fast
2	I am embarrassed when I have to break the fast of Ramadan in front of people.
3	I do not openly break the fast of Ramadan.
4	I am afraid that I will have problems with others if I do not fast during the month of Ramadan.
5	I consider fasting in Ramadan, despite my illness, increases closeness to God.
6	I do not think that the first obligation to fast is to carefully listen to doctor’s advice.
7	I feel that I can fast because my illness and/or my age have not yet reached an advanced stage.
8	I think that whoever dies while fasting, even though it would not be permissible to fast for him/her (eg, due to sickness), is in the order of the martyrs with God.
9	I think that I can openly break the Ramadan fast only with my family and people with whom I have an intimate relationship.
10	I am afraid that I will be at risk of dying during the Ramadan fasting.
11	I am at risk of complications or of death because of fasting as I do not adhere to the doctor’s advice.
12	I accept to increase the symptoms of the disease during fasting in the month of Ramadan.
13	I believe that preserving religion is more important than self-preservation.
14	I think the doctor’s advice not to fast is not binding.
15	I consider the position of medicine which allows me not to fast contrary to the Shariah (Islamic law).
16	I would feel guilty if I would follow the shuyukh, fuqahā, a’immah (spiritual guides/leaders)’s advice, who have permitted me not to fast.
17	I feel bad when I break the fast.
18	When I break the fast, I feel that others are looking at me with contempt.
19	I think that the permission of the shuyukh, fuqahā, a’immah (spiritual guides/leaders) for me not to fast during the month of Ramadan is not obligatory.
20	I do not accept that a person breaks the fast in front of me while I am still fasting.
Religious beliefs and practice subscales
21	I try to pray all my prayers in the mosque.
22	I am committed to praising and making supplications, after every prayer.
23	I am committed to reading the Qur’an on a daily basis.
24	I abide by honesty and integrity in dealing with all people.
25	I consider that Islam is the true religion that should be observed in all its teachings and precepts.
26	I consider my sickness to be from God in order to strengthen my faith.
27	I think that God is the healer alone and there is no need for medicine.
28	I think that my life and my health are entirely in God’s hands and are not influenced by whether or not I take drugs.
29	I believe that the Qur’an will heal all physical diseases.
30	I believe that the righteous are engaged in reciting the Qur’an and doing supplication, without having the need for taking medication.
31	I believe that it is faith in Islam that relieves my suffering from disease.
32	I think that Islam is the main reason I do not believe in suicide.
33	When the pain of the disease is overwhelming, there is nothing more powerful and effective than the prayer.
34	I believe that faith positively affects both my mental and physical health.
35	I can only get sick or worse with medication.
36	I am worried when God does not respond to my call for healing.
37	When I have to face a problem in my life, I think it is a penalty for a bad deed I have committed.
38	I consider the teachings and precepts of Islam to be inspiring and guiding my daily behavior.
39	I think the problems we are experiencing in this age are because of the distance from Islam.
40	I believe that Islam is the path of salvation and eternal happiness.